LI Youth May Be at Risk| New Study Links Social Media to Depression

A new nationwide study by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has uncovered a troubling trend that’s also raising concern among mental health professionals across Long Island: increased social media usage among youth could be fueling a rise in depression.

The study, which tracked nearly 12,000 children and adolescents between the ages of 9 and 13 over several years, found that both social media usage and depressive symptoms increased significantly (by more than 30%) during this critical developmental period. The study suggests that there may be a negative correlation between mental health and social media use.

“If an individual teen increased their social media use from year to year, that increase was associated with a subsequent rise in depression,” said Dr. Jason Nagata, UCSF pediatrician and lead author of the study.

These findings mirror concerns already being voiced by local educators and mental health experts across Nassau and Suffolk counties. With Long Island’s youth heavily engaged on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, professionals are urging families to take note of the potential risks.

In 2023, then-U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a public health advisory regarding the dangers of excessive social media use among adolescents. Though his warning encouraged parents to promote healthy boundaries, it stopped short of offering detailed guidance — something Long Island parents may find themselves urgently needing.

Long Island, with its high-performing schools and competitive academic culture, may place unique pressures on adolescents. Experts suggest that social media can amplify those stressors, especially when teens compare themselves to curated, often unrealistic portrayals of peers’ lives online.

Dr. Nagata pointed to several factors that may be contributing to the rise in adolescent depression, including sleep loss, cyberbullying, and the glorification of unhealthy behaviors such as disordered eating — all of which can be exacerbated by social media. He also warned that many apps are designed to be addictive, with features that can erode in-person social connections.

A second study by Nagata’s team found that tweens who experienced cyberbullying were nearly three times more likely to report suicidal thoughts or attempts. This is a particularly sobering statistic for Long Island school districts, many of which have had to address cyberbullying cases in recent years.

“Social media is not inherently bad or good,” Nagata said. “There are real benefits to connection and communication — but there are serious risks too.”

New York Leads the Nation with Legislative Response

In a major move to address these risks, Governor Kathy Hochul signed two pieces of landmark legislation in June 2024 designed to better protect children from addictive social media design and intrusive data practices.

• The SAFE for Kids Act (S.7694A/A.8148A) requires social media companies to restrict algorithmically driven, addictive content feeds for users under 18, a move aimed squarely at curbing the compulsive scrolling behaviors that many experts say fuel mental health issues.
• The New York Child Data Protection Act (S.7695B/A.8149A) prohibits online platforms from collecting, using, sharing, or selling the personal data of minors unless strictly necessary or with informed consent.

Brentwood East Middle School teacher Kathleen Spence voiced support for the legislation:

“We are grateful that New York has taken the lead in keeping children safer from the harms of social media. We appreciate that these bipartisan bills were passed so swiftly by Governor Hochul, Attorney General James, Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Assemblymember Rozic. Although both of our children are older now, we feel reassured knowing these laws are in place to protect students and future generations.”

What Long Island Families Can Do Now

Local professionals recommend several strategies for families on Long Island looking to reduce harm:

• Model healthy habits: Parents should demonstrate balanced screen usage at home.
• Set boundaries: Restrict social media use before bedtime to prevent sleep disruption.
• Start conversations: Talk openly with children about what they see online and how it makes them feel.
• Tailor limits: Adjust restrictions based on a child’s age and maturity — especially for those in elementary and middle school.

As Long Island families navigate this evolving digital landscape, local school officials and pediatricians alike are calling for increased education and support around youth mental health and screen time. With new laws now in effect, advocates hope that both policy and parental engagement will help ensure social media remains a tool for connection — not a cause of harm.